2nd Workshop on Enhancing Creativity and Innovation in Teaching and Curriculum Delivery

The Office of the Deputy of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UTAS-Muscat held its highly anticipated “2nd Workshop on Enhancing Creativity and Innovation in Teaching and Curriculum Delivery” on 12 December 2024 at the Old MPH, UTAS-Muscat, bringing together the faculty members from the various UTAS branches who showcased a wealth of innovative teaching practices designed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

The workshop commenced with opening remarks by Dr. Ahmed Al-Mamari, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of UTAS-Muscat, who highlighted the crucial role of creativity and innovation in educational environments. Following Dr. Al-Mamari, Dr. Khalid Salim Al-Abri, Deputy of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UTAS-Muscat, elaborated on the workshop's objectives, emphasizing the significance of innovative teaching methodologies. "As educators, we must continually evolve our practices to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world," he stated.

The keynote address by Dr. Tayba Sulaiman Al-Hilali, Head of the Quality Assurance Section, titled “Reflecting on Teacher’s Readiness for AI-enhanced Teaching,” provided a thought-provoking reflection on integrating technology into educational practices.

A highlight of the workshop was the presentation of the ‘Most Creative & Innovative Educator Award,’ which recognized outstanding contributions to teaching and curriculum delivery. Selected faculty members from the various UTAS branches presented their innovative approaches, with topics ranging from interactive virtual labs to integrating AI in classroom settings.

Dr. Karima Al-Balushi, from UTAS-Muscat, took home the first-place award for her presentation on “Innovative Teaching Methodology in Green Chemistry Practical.” Her approach demonstrated a forward-thinking method to engage students in the complexities of green chemistry through hands-on experiences that foster critical thinking and sustainability.

The second-place award was a tie between Dr. Zainab Al-Kharousi for her innovative “Interactive Teaching Using Virtual Lab” and Ms. Hanaa Al-Khayari's work on “Fostering Communication Skills through 21st Century Classroom Activities.” Both presentations emphasized adapting teaching strategies to create dynamic and interactive learning environments.

The third place was awarded to Dr. Maha Said Al-Anqoudi for her presentation “Teach as a Student, Assess as a Teacher” and Mr. Aneez Kundukulathil for his “Lab Management System (LMS),” both of which showcased the effectiveness of technology in enhancing practical learning.

The workshop featured a diverse range of presentations that offer unique insights into modern teaching practices and the integration of technology in education, such as:

• “Innovative Teaching Methodology in Green Chemistry Practical” by Dr. Karima Al-Balushi, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Fostering Creativity in Multimedia Design: Peer Feedback on Storyboards in a Visual Effects Course" by Dr. Zeyana Al-Jaradi, UTAS-Nizwa 
• "Teaching in the AI Era: Applying Critical Thinking" by Dr. Qasim Abdullah Al-Ajmi, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Integrating Published Research Papers into Science Topics by Dr. Monther Hamed Al- Monthery, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Enhancing Creativity and Innovation in Teaching" by Dr. Ramesh Gengatharan, UTAS-Ibra 
• "Teach as a Student, Assess as a Teacher" by Dr. Maha Said Al-Anqoudi, UTAS-Nizwa 
• "The Design Thinking Classroom: An Initiative for Creativity & Innovation in Teaching-Learning Process " by Dr. Ganesh Radhakrishnan, UTAS-Nizwa 
• "Enhancing Creativity and Innovation in Teaching" by Mr. Harisha Karagappa, UTAS-Nizwa 
• "Blending AI with Traditional Teaching: A Hybrid Teaching" by Ms. Iman Al-Senani, UTAS-Nizwa 
• "Student Engagement Using H5P" by Mr. Rameshkrishna P. N., UTAS-Nizwa
• "Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality - The New Face of Teaching" by Mr. Vinod Kumar Pillai, UTAS-Al Musannah  
• "Creativity in Teaching with Story Maps" by Mr. Anand Raju, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Lab Management System (LMS)" by Mr. Aneez Kundukulathil, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Interactive Teaching Using Virtual Lab" by Dr. Zainab Al-Kharousi, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Enhancing Reading and Speaking Skills with MS Teams" by Ms. Shatha Khalifa Al-Shereiqi and Ms. Maria Mahmood Al-Hasani, UTAS-Muscat 
• “Using YouTube Videos for Learning Enhancement” by Dr. Mohsin Aziz, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Break the Ice" by Ms. Tahira Fida Abdul Husain, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Fostering Competition Between Boys and Girls" by Dr. Kothar Talib Al-Harrasi, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Fostering Communication Skills through 21^st Century Classroom Activities" by Ms. Hanaa Al-Khayari, UTAS-Muscat 
• "Empowering UTAS Students with Metastrategies" by Dr. Mahdi Rouhiathar, UTAS-Salalah 

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to the keynote speaker, presenters, special awardees, and the acknowledgment of the Program Leaders for their exemplary work in the task of monitoring the implementation of the Version 5 Academic Program through a formal report submitted in April-May 2024.

Dr. Khalid Al-Abri expressed gratitude to all participants, reaffirming the university’s commitment to enhancing the quality of teaching and curriculum delivery. “Our goal is to inspire the faculty to embrace creativity and innovation, ultimately enriching the learning experience for our students,” he remarked.

Ms. Nawal Al-Battashi, PSC Quality Assurance Coordinator and Lecturer was the facilitator of the workshop.